A Change in Direction: Chapter Twenty-one

5/14/2020

A Change in Direction: Chapter Twenty-one

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Chapter Twenty-one

Edward made it up in a way, taking me out for lunch. And though we had fun together, it wasn’t exactly the same. He went back to being more formal, like he had been the first couple of days we spent together. I didn’t like it, but I wasn’t sure if there was a way to fix that. We had both crossed a line, and it had made us uncomfortable. It made me wonder if there was any way back again.

I spent Thursday and Friday while Edward was at work getting ready for Halloween. I didn’t ask, but I just assumed he was going to pass out candy. We would be there anyway. He had stated as much. When he arrived home on Friday evening, he gazed at my pile of treats in utter confusion. Like a dog who had heard a funny sound, head cocked to the side and everything.

“I’ve got some homemade pizza in the oven,” I told him as I placed the treat bags into a large bowl to hold them all. It was practically overflowing.

Removing his jacket and tie, he set them on the island before picking up one of the sacks. “What in the world is this?”

“It’s a ‘make your own caramel apple’ bag. See, I put in a little apple, perfect for smaller mouths, a few caramels, and a stick along with the instructions I printed out from the computer. And I have regular candy too if they prefer.” He still looked confused. “For Halloween, Edward. Trick or treating. Honey, you live in one of the nicest neighborhoods in the city. We’ll be home, it wouldn’t be nice not to pass stuff out.”

“Oh, god! I forgot all about it. Honestly, I haven’t stayed in a house since I lived with my dad. I didn’t even think about passing out candy. I’m usually in an apartment.”

“That’s why you have me,” I smiled at him sweetly as I took the bag from his grip. “The pizza will be done in ten minutes. I wanted to sit outside once it gets dark. Make it easier for the kids. Is that okay?”

“Outside?” He asked, picking out a Snickers bar from the bowl of regular candy. I slapped it from his greedy little paw, making him chuckle.

“So those poor children don’t have to trek all the way up your massive driveway. They’re going to have to walk a lot as it is. Besides, it’s a gorgeous night out. Didn’t you go trick or treating as a kid?” I asked, taking a pitcher of sweet tea to the table along with the bowl of spinach salad.

Shrugging, he ignored my question as he reached for a fun-sized bag of skittles. This time he got away with his booty, dancing away with a wicked little smile as he went to go change clothes. When he returned, he was wearing a black pullover fleece shirt and jeans, and a pair of black converse on his usually bare feet.

Edward ate more than half of the pizza by himself. Neither of us drank wine, opting instead for his favorite cream soda, which he always kept in the house. I didn’t think there would be drinking between us for a while. I was good with that.

When we opened the door to go outside onto the lawn, there was a horde of children waiting for us, about to ring the doorbell. He seemed to be taken aback by the massive number of kids. “Okay, you’ve got a choice,” I shouted over them in my ‘almost teacher’ voice. “You can get a bag or a handful of candy. The baggies have caramel apples.”

The chattering that went through the crowd was palpable. They surged forward towards Edward’s bowl with the bags in them with cries of ‘the good stuff.’ Little choruses of ‘thank you’ followed each snatch. Giggling, I patted him on the shoulder as I put the other dish onto the table.

“I’m going to get some chairs.”

“There should be some in the garage,” he called to me. I nodded, making my way towards the back.

Music was echoing through the space, and I frowned to myself. Jacob was working on something at his desk. “Oh, well, hello there. Long time no see,” he began cheerfully, but I ignored his pleasantries. I was on a mission.

“Mr. Masen said there were lawn chairs in here.”

“Yeah, they’re against that wall over there.” He pointed to the far side of the room. I nodded my thanks and went to go get a couple. He waited until I turned my back to ask a question. “You don’t like me, do you?” He wasn’t angry. In fact, he sounded amused.

“I don’t know you enough to dislike you,” I replied shortly, picking up two of the canvas seats.

Jake chuckled. “Okay. I’ll give you that. But I make you uncomfortable, don’t I? Admit it.” He smirked. “I can tell by the look on your face. Was it something I said?”

“You called me beautiful. And you don’t know me well enough to say that,” I answered, making my way towards the door. I wanted to get away from the conversation as soon as possible. I didn’t enjoy being put on the spot like that.

“I’m sorry, but it’s true. When I asked Mr. Masen what you looked like, he said you were a beautiful woman with gorgeous long brown hair and big chocolate eyes. And he wasn’t wrong. Are you not comfortable with your looks?” He inquired, his arms crossed along his solid chest. I frowned at his words as my cheeks turned red. My reaction made him laugh. “I’m sorry. I guess so. I’ll leave you alone, but I’m not a bad guy.”

“Once again, I don’t know you well enough to assume that either way. Now, if you’ll excuse me, our boss is waiting for these.”

By the time I had returned, the herd had thinned a little. We moved closer to the sidewalk to sit in our chairs underneath the stars. Edward grabbed a couple of blankets at one point and a lantern so the children could see us. When Maria, the maid, came to say she was leaving for the day, he gave her a few bags for her kids, along with a big handful of candy. She thanked him several times in Spanish and English. She thanked me, too. It was the most she had ever said to me.

And I wasn’t sad to admit I was happy to see Jacob leave.

“So, are you still taking next Saturday off for that Maker’s fair thing?” Edward asked as we sat underneath the clear night sky, watching the kiddos as they walked around in their cute costumes.

“Yeah,” I answered, forgetting all about it. I hadn’t talked to Alice since the Thursday before the ball. And I hadn’t seen Jasper since we had Mexican together when I first got this... position. I was going to have to change that. I knew she was busy with her crafting, though. “Is that okay?”

“Of course, it is.” he reached over, squeezing my hand gently.

Smiling slightly, I returned the gesture. “Alice is always so excited about these things,” I commented, handing a little devil and a princess a bunch of candy each. They ran back to their parents before heading to the next place.

“Why?”

“Well, besides being fun, it’s a good excuse to get out of the house and get to meet people that have common interests. Also, whatever she makes there, she’ll use to buy Jasper’s Christmas present. She hates when she has to spend his money on gifts for him,” I explained, picking out a package of Laffy Taffy and taking a bite. When I frowned at the flavor, Edward reached over and popped the rest of it into his mouth without a word.

“What does she make again?” He questioned, a big yellow wad of candy popping his jaw loudly as he chewed.

“Handmade kid’s clothes. They’re super cute.” I shrugged. “I’d buy some for my own if I had any. As it is, Alice makes me pieces all the time. For my birthday, she made me this pretty hippie skirt and peasant blouse with these hand-sewn flowers all along the top. I think I’ll wear it on Saturday,” I let my mind wander out loud. Edward passed out the final apple, so all that was left was the last of the pre-packaged sweets.

“What kind of stuff do they sell at this maker’s fair? Just kids’ clothes?” He continued, pulling out a package of Runts. He offered me a lime one. I took it from his fingertips with my teeth. Loudly, he gulped, making me laugh to myself as I chewed. “Tease.”

“I’m not teasing,” I told him, passing a big handful to a cute little monster. I was ready to get my night over with, candy-wise. The kids were heading home. “They sell all kinds of stuff, from food to jewelry. Woodworking. Photography. Last time, there were these ladies in slutty corsets and roller blades advertising their roller derby team,” I giggled at the memory. “Oh! And the burlesque girls. The Bon Temp dancers. Vampire stripping,” I laughed out loud. “I can’t imagine them being here this time, though. It’ll be too cold for that. Oh! And cake balls!”

He pursed his lips for a minute. “What the hell are cake balls?” He asked in a snicker at my excitement. “It sounds dirty.”

“It might sound weird if I tried to describe how it’s made, but it’s delicious. I’ll make you some soon. You’ll love them.”

“I adore everything you create,” he smiled. I barely noticed the three kids snatching huge fistfuls of sweets out of the bowl. When I looked down, we were completely out.

“I think we’re done.” I showed him the empty container.

Smiling as he stood, he stretched his arms above his head, so it exposed his smooth stomach just a little. “Looks like.” He twisted to pop his back. “It is a lovely night. I’m not sure I want to go inside yet.”

I turned off the lantern and set the bowls on our chairs, then picked up my blanket and wrapped it around me. “We don’t have to.”

“No.” Edward grinned his charming crooked smile, making my heart melt a bit. “I suppose we don’t, do we? Hm, race you to the back?”

With that, he took my hand and threw his blanket over his shoulders. I giggled loudly as we ran together towards the backyard with him leading the way the entire time. When we were about halfway into the yard, he tripped, falling forward into the grass and pulling me on top of him.

He landed with a huff, and I laughed, pushing up on my palms to look at him. “Are you okay?”

“Fine,” he puffed, all the wind knocked out of him. I giggled at his expression, pushing a piece of his hair behind his ear. Smiling, his hands went to my waist. “Wow, this worked out better than I expected.”

“You know if you wanted to get me on top of you, all you had to do is ask,” I teased, leaning down to kiss his chin. And then his nose. Then his cheeks before finally kissing his lips. He hummed in pleasure, one of his hands coming to the back of my head. Before I could realize what was happening, Edward switched our positions.

“What if I want to be on top?” He asked in his almost cocky voice. I knew him well enough to know it was all for show, though.

I batted my eyelashes. “You can be in any position you want. I’m yours.”

I wanted to be wrong about that, but I wasn’t.

He fell onto his back beside me. I rolled to my side and rested my head on his shoulder. His arm curled around me. It was the most comfortable we had been with each other in a week. I had questions I wished to ask him, but I was sure it wasn’t the right time to push. On that subject, anyway. Sex was something we would have to tread around lightly.

I ran my hand along the exposed skin of his stomach, where his sweater had lifted. His torso was so solid. I could feel just the beginning of the little trail of hair around his belly button, the golden-red curls glinting in the faint light that came from the street lamps. Edward sighed, his eyes closed as his head leaned back.

“Things didn’t turn out how you thought they would, did they?” I asked quietly.

“No. They never do.”

I snuggled more against his side. He was so warm. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. I’m not.” He turned his face so that his lips were pressed against my forehead. I relished the feeling.

“Do you know how much I care about you?” I questioned as my fingers dragged along his stomach. Quickly, I sat up so I could look into his eyes. I needed to know that he knew and believed me. Perhaps believing was the most important part. He had to believe me so we could…

“You have taken better care of me than any other person has. Sometimes it’s so intense that it scares me. And when things frighten me, I have a bad habit of running away. That much is probably obvious. But Bella, I don’t want to run away from you. You’ve been so patient with me already. I know you care, and I am so grateful for that. And I care about you too.”

“I know.” I smiled, touching his cheek before bending down to press my lips against his. He eagerly returned the kiss, my tongue slipping into his mouth. It was the most powerful one we had shared since that horrible night. My hair spread around us like a curtain, hiding us from the world. But it couldn’t shelter us from the sudden drop in temperature and cold wind.

We were both sad to see our evening end. Me even more so than him, though, I think.

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Thanks to Gina for proofreading this chapter!

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